Manipur News

IMPHAL, August 26: Prof L Sekharjit Singh has been removed prematurely from the post of director, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS).

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued an order to this effect on August 25.

It may be mentioned that Prof Sekharjit took charge as director of RIMS on September 14, 2010 and his tenure was to expire on September 13, 2015.

The order signed by a deputy secretary of the ministry said the director has been “relieved of his duty as director with immediate effect,” and that Prof Chongtham Arunkumar will take charge of the post.

The new director officially took charge of the post at 1 pm today at the RIMS administrative block.

Chongtham Arunkumar is a present professor of the Department of Orthopedics and hails from Singjamei Mathak Chongtham Leikai.

It may be mentioned that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has lodged a case against Sekharjit on charges of corruption regarding irregularities in the supply of dental chairs and other misappropriations.

According to sources, the CBI has submitted the FIR copy to the District and Sessions Judge, Manipur East on May 23, 2014.

The non-bailable case bears number Criminal Miscellaneous case number 41 of 2014 reference RC number 6 (A) 2014/IMP under section 120-B, 420 of the Indian Penal Code, read with 13 (2)/13 (1) (D), Prevention of Corruption Act.

Other respondents in the case also include Dr Rajiv Ratna Singh who is professor of Dental College, chief accounts officer Elangbam Devendro, professor H Shanti Singh of Anesthesia department and Lal Gopal of M/S Mukherjee Enterprise, Thakur Road, Kolkotta.

Mukherjee Enterprise is the supplier of dental chairs.

The CBI represents the State as the petitioner in the case and sources said that more investigation is underway to frame a charge sheet against Dr. Sekharjit.

It may also be mentioned that there is another CBI case against former RIMS director, Prof. L Fimate.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/rims-director-dr-sekharjit-removed-prematurely-from-post/

IMPHAL, August 26: State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today attended the felicitation function of the “Inscription of Sankritana in the Representative List of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at Shri Shri Bijoy Govindajee Mandap, Sagolband, Imphal.

The function which also saw felicitation of 17 individuals who were actively involved in submitting the nomination of Sankirtana to UNESCO was organised by the State Art and Culture department.

Speaking at the function, the Chief Minister said we are indebted to our forefathers who had left such a rich cultural heritage for us.

People, especially the experts and gurus should work together to gain more recognition of our cultural richness throughout the world, he said.

Ibobi said the inscription of the Sankritana in the representative list of UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage of humanity is no small feat.

The Sankirtana also helps in ensuring peaceful-co-existence and spreading peace in the land, he said.

Further in his speech, he said after the inscription of Sankirtana in the list, our duty towards safeguarding it has only grown bigger.

Sankirtana is the start and it should not be the end, he observed before expressing the need to include ‘Lai Haroaba’ in the list and to gain worldwide recognition of the cultural heritage of the different communities residing in the State.

It may be mentioned that the nomination for Sankirtana was submitted to UNESCO in 2009 and it was inscribed in the representative list of UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2013.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/sankirtanas-inscription-in-unesco-list-celebrated/

Imphal, August 26: The Union Surface Transport and Shipping Minister has assured to sanction Rs15, 000 crores for the completion of National Highways in Manipur connecting with the rest of India. The development work on the highways will be completed within six months from today, said Union Surface Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari.

In a meeting with senior leaders of BJP Manipur Pradesh led by Dr Borababu and nine other delegates at around 1: 30 pm today at the Transport Bhawan, the Union Surface Transport and Shipping Minister said he will see to it that the development work on the National Highways of Manipur is completed within six months by sanctioning Rs 15,000 crores.

The nine State BJP delegates who were present along with Dr Borababu were former party president Sh Shantikumar, S Tikendra, S Rajen, Th Shyamo, T Shayamacharan, Michael Gangmei, N Ratan, Y Khemchand and Dr S Dhananjoy.

A highly placed source said that they discussed the present condition of the National Highways which are in abysmal conditions and at the mercy of the seasons with Gadkari.

During the meeting, it is reported that Gadkari informed the delegate that he had already taken a decision to develop the National Highways of Manipur within six months by sanctioning Rs 15,000 crore.

Meanwhile, the delegates submitted a memorandum reminding the Union Transport Minister of the cherished dream of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpaye who assured the people of the State to extend the Super Highway from Silchar to Moreh, and thereby connect it to the Expressway from Saurastra in Gujarat to Silchar in Assam.

The Jiribam to Imphal stretch which is currently a distance of 220 Km in a mountainous terrain will be shortened by means of tunnels by about 70 Kms, it said.

Gadkari has also assured that the dream of the former PM will be realised soon.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/highways-in-manipur-to-be-completely-developed-within-six-months-state-bjp/

IMPHAL, August 26: Volunteers of the Sekmai Protection Committee and the Advance Women Society Sekmai along with other locals of Sekmai area set ablaze a sand laden truck for quarrying against their restriction at the Imphal River.

The truck bearing regd number MN 03 1093 is said to be from Khongampat area; however, its owner’s identity could not be ascertained till the filling of this report.

Volunteers of the two bodies caught the truck quarrying sand from the Sekmai area of Imphal River this morning around 9.45.

Speaking to media persons, president of the committee, Rajesh said ferrying and quarrying activities in Sekmai area had been restricted since sometime back.

During routine checking around 8:45 am today, volunteers saw the truck quarrying sand from the river bed and at once informed the committee and the women society, he said.

Soon a large mob gathered around the truck near the Hotel Pan at the National Highway 2 approach road from Sekmai Khwairakpam, he said.

The public later conveyed a meeting at Sekmai over the incident.

Rajesh said the incident was unfortunate.

He said ignoring the restriction against quarrying activities in the area by civil organisations and locals, this truck was found quarrying sand.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/truck-set-ablaze-for-ignoring-quarry-restriction/

IMPHAL, August 26: Two men were killed while ten others were injured in two separate road mishaps in the State since yesterday.

A passenger of a Tata Sumo was killed while nine others were injured when it skidded down a gorge at the Old Cachar Road in Bishnupur this morning around 7:30.

The vehicle was coming from Joujangtek in Nungba sub-division, Tamenglong towards Bishnupur.

The victim has been identified as Lunkhogin Haokip, 57, son of Hegom Haokip of Jouangtek.

According to family members of the victim, the Tata Sumo had left with 11 passengers on board for Bishnupur.

After driving around seven kilometer towards Bishnupur, there was a landslide and in order to avoid it, the driver tried to manoeuvre his vehicle along the roadside on the side of the gorge, but in the process fell around 50 feet into the gorge, the family maintained.

Lunkhogin died on the spot, they said.

On the other hand, the injured passengers were brought to the Bishnupur District Hospital around 12:05 pm.

Of the nine, the condition of four deteriorated and had to be referred to RIMS.

Meanwhile, another accident left a 56 year old dead, while the driver of a two-wheeler is undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit, Shija Hospital.

Around 8pm last night, 56 year old Huidrom Tolamu, 56 son of (L) H Mangijao Singh was hit by a motorcycle at Keishampat Junction.

He was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved and succumbed to his injuries.

On the other hand the driver of the motorcycle is also presently undergoing treatment at the ICU of the Shija Hospital.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/two-killed-several-injured-in-separate-road-mishaps/

By R Lester Makang

UKHRUL, August 26: Maintaining that the strategic deployment of increased State security forces in Ukhrul district headquarters is to basically pre-empt any untoward situation in the aftermath of the assassination of an ADC member on July 12 last, the deputy commissioner Hrisheekesh Modak, has on Tuesday said that the security measure is equally to protect the civilians while maintaining peaceful atmosphere in the town.

The DC disclosed this during an interaction with media persons at his office chamber this evening.

He said that there is no cause for apprehension among the public on account of the presence of security forces. He also said no untoward cases of harassment by the security forces have been reported so far.

He nevertheless assured that his administration would not stand any breach of peace on the part of the security personnel, adding that any such cases, if they do happen, should be immediately brought to his notice.

Reiterating that the township is peaceful and that his administration is closely keeping tabs on the current situation, he further informed that his priority is to ensure public safety while maintaining law and order.

Incidentally, this assurance came in the midst of growing apprehension among the public that the security forces might go on a violent spree and commit excesses against the innocent civilians any time.

Meanwhile, deploring the unfortunate incident of bashing up of Ukhrul SDPO and his driver while on duty in good faith on Sunday evening, DC Modak appealed to all to refrain from breaking the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the town.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/ukhrul-dc-not-to-allow-breach-of-peace-or-misconduct-by-police/

IMPHAL, Aug 26: There will be a shortage of food if anything affects agricultural activities in a country where people depend heavily on agriculture, stated Manipur University Vice-Chancellor Prof H Nandakumar Sharma while speaking as the president of an awareness programme on ‘Climate change in Agriculture’ at the premises of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in Lamphel today. The awareness programme was organised under the guidance of National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture.

Scientists are finding ways to curb climate change and will eventually succeed, he said, however, the main difficulty is controlling natural calamities which are unpredictable. Predicting climate is way too difficult, he added.

Prof Nandakumar said deforestation, the world over, has led climatic uncertainty, manifesting in unnaturally heavy rains, droughts etc. One of the major reasons for such cumulative effect on the climate is energy production, power generation etc, he added.

The Vice-Chancellor of MU further stated that there are lots of fluctuations in climate, so there is a need to find out the crops which can grow in different kinds of climate.

The awareness programme graced by the State Agricultural Minister Abdul Nasir as the chief guest was attended by many cultivators from various districts of the State. A demonstration of various machines, followed by discussions, was also conducted as part of the programme.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/scientists-will-eventually-curb-climate-change/

THOUBAL, Aug 26: In relation with the ongoing demand for implementation of ILP in the state, Tokpa Ching Meira Paibi Apunba Lup organised sit in protests at different areas of Tokpa Ching area today.

The Lup organised the protests at Tokpa Ching Community Hall and at Tokpa Ching Mondum Mahadev Gate. During the protests, the protestors held placards with slogans demanding implementation of ILP, to implement ILP as soon as possible and the removal of all the 60 MLAs for failure to implement ILP in the state.

A similar protest in the form of Meira rally was also demonstrated this evening by different organisations, clubs and Tentha Apunba Meira Paibi at Tentha area, Thoubal.

The rally was jointly organised by Ideal Club, Tentha, YDA, Takwa Tentha, Tamaido Tentha, Maido Tentha, TKUC, KYC and SYDO Tentha Marongban along with the Meira Paibi. The protestors shouted out demand for ILP implementation in the state during the protest.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/ilp-sit-in-protest-held-at-tokpa-ching/

IMPHAL, Aug 26: The All Manipur Students’ Union has stated that it is preparing to organise the 49th Hunger Marchers’ Day on August 27.

According to a release of AMSU, in August 27, 1965, the public and students had jointly held a protest against the then government for causing artificial scarcities of essential food items in the state. During the protest, three students identified as Nabakumar, Chaobhal and Pramodini and AIR driver, Nilamani were killed in firing by security forces.

It further stated that in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives during the protest, AMSU had been observing August 27 as Hunger Marchers’ Day since 1965. And as a continuation of the tradition, the Union will observe the 48th Hunger Marchers’ Day at Singjamei Pishum Chinga, where a floral tribute will be held at the memorial sites.

Later, a meeting will be held at DM College campus, the release said.

The press communiqué also appealed to the people of all ages, students, clubs, organisations, Meira-Paibis, private organisations, drivers, government and non-government employees to take part in the observation.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/amsu-to-observe-hunger-marchers-day/

IMPHAL, Aug 26: A havildar of the 3 Assam Rifles was hit by splinters during an Improvised Explosive Device attack this morning around 6:15 at Old Somtal, Chandel district along the Indo-Myanmar border.

The injured has been identified as havildar no 35578A Jagdish Chander, 49.

He was hit by splinters on the left side of his neck and leg.

Sources informed the IFP that the Assam Rifles team under attack had opened a post in the nearby Sahlon hills and belongs to the D Coy of the 3 Assam Rifles.

It is also learnt that the IED which was already planted exploded as the AR team in a Road Opening Patrol was approaching along the Inter Village Road on the western side of their post.

The injured havildar was shifted around 9:55 am in a helicopter to the military hospital in Leimakhong and is said to be out of danger.

Meanwhile, no militant outfit has claimed responsibility of the attack.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/08/ar-personnel-injured-in-ied-explosion/